Neat video of the final flight of N807AJ, a Convair 880 retired from TWA (as N810TW) in 1973 and placed in desert storage in MHV. In 1991, it was refurbed enough for flight, in preparation to being flown XC to ACY for use by the FAA as a fire trainer, where it resides, living the rest of its life being used in burn tests and training.
Of note are the straight-turbojets on the bird. GE CJ805 motors, a civilianized version of the GE J79 motor (non AB), as used on many military fighter aircraft including the F-4 and the F-104.
The takeoff at 5:45 is indeed impressive and very old-school in terms of sheer noise (turbojets.....what goes in, comes out the back as power; no bypass) and smoke.
No pansy Stage III noise compliance here!
Of note are the straight-turbojets on the bird. GE CJ805 motors, a civilianized version of the GE J79 motor (non AB), as used on many military fighter aircraft including the F-4 and the F-104.
The takeoff at 5:45 is indeed impressive and very old-school in terms of sheer noise (turbojets.....what goes in, comes out the back as power; no bypass) and smoke.
No pansy Stage III noise compliance here!
